If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ. You must register
before you can view photos and images. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

zinsco box

Hey guys.... had a nice place today... then looked at the sevice box... it's a zinsco with a bunch of breakers and no master breaker... also couple of double taps...yikes... told the client he should have the whole box looked at by a qualified sparky.... didn't the CPSC have some recalls on these? If not what do we use as justification to replace these.. tx b

Re: zinsco box

Be aware that not all Zinsco panels have AL bus, early 60's on back into the 50's were plated copper, still have the copper bus from a Zinsco panel I jerked out a number of years ago, & they have survived more then a few scrapyard runs too. (Not the next run though).

Re: zinsco box

"Overwhelming opinion within the residential electrical industry is that these are defective and dangerous" is usually what I say. Also, most Zinsco panels are 40+ years old which is past the typical service life for this equipment (even if it weren't kindling).

I don't go too far into specifics with these panels as to why they're bad. There are plenty of more qualified people than me to do that. I point my buyers to the info and give my opinion, that it should be replaced.

The problem with getting too specific is you'll find some nut job electrician to disagree with your specific findings on a specific panel (Zinsco that doesn't have aluminum bars, Fed Pac breakers that aren't on a certain "bad" list, etc.). IMO it's just best to stand back a bit and make a blanket recommendation.

All Rights Reserved. Hann Tech Marketing Link / InspectionNews.com / InspectionNews.net - No part of InspectionNews.net may be reproduced in any way, or by any means, without the prior written permission of InspectionNews.net. Use of any index or listing Software for the purpose of constructing a mailing list, creating promotional materials or producing a printed or electronic catalog of any kind is expressly forbidden without the prior written permission of InspectionNews.net - All text, graphics and design on InspectionNews.net is copyright by Hann Tech Marketing Links.